Despite a knee injury that derailed her junior softball campaign, University Heights Academy two-sport standout Olivia Oakley still has plenty to keep her busy in the classroom and the community.
A three-time All-District volleyball player, Olivia helped the Lady Blazers to a historic season in 2023, including a 36-3 record and 8th-District and 2nd-Region titles. She stuffed the stat sheet, leading the team with 211 digs, 2nd with 63 aces, and 3rd with 200 kills, while appearing in all 105 sets on the way to All-Region honors.
Being unable to play softball and club volleyball has been difficult, but she’s found ways to stay involved with her teammates and chip in where she can. Missing out on her club team’s trip to Nationals and the exposure to college coaches her involvement would have provided and not having the comradery with her teammates has been difficult. However, she still attends practices and stays in touch with the girls through social media.
Olivia remains a fixture at the UHA softball games and has even helped out behind the microphone by announcing some of the games. She says her injury has also brought into focus the huge part sports play in her life, while giving her time to focus on academics and self-improvement, including teaching herself to play guitar and working out to get stronger for her return to competition.
While Olivia says her travel and UHA coaches have checked in on her recovery and been extremely supportive, her non-human companions and a passion for helping animals in need seem to be therapeutic as well.
“My mom has a passion for animals, and I think that’s what sparked it in me. I’ve been saying since I was two that I want to be a veterinarian. I have two foster cats from Max’s Hope, three dogs of my own, and an African Sulcata Tortoise.”
Olivia admits that she neglected to tell her mom that particular animal can live to be around 75 years old and reach a weight of 125 pounds. She also owns a bearded dragon, five hermit crabs, and a corn snake.
While helping to bathe animals, clean cages, check pets in, and help with feeding while working at the Pet Lodge, Olivia and her family have also fostered and helped find fur-ever homes for pets with Max’s Hope for over eight years.
Max’s Hope, based in Hopkinsville, has a “goal to help pets and their owners who are unable to maintain their care.” They focus on “soldiers forced to relinquish pets due to deployment or relocation and to the families affected by today’s economy that can no longer financially care for their pets.” Help is also extended to “animals who otherwise would face euthanization or death if left on their own.”
The time Olivia invests with animals in need and those with whom she shares a home combined with hours spent improving on the court and the field wouldn’t seem to leave space in her life for much else. However, she also manages to excel at school and make a positive impact on her fellow students and the community.
A straight-A student, she is a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Poetry Club, the Environmental Club, and Key Club. Olivia is also a member of the Title IX Committee at UHA, ensuring equality between males and females in athletics.
She has taken part in Leadership Hopkinsville, an organization aimed at developing leadership potential within the Christian County community by bringing together “individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who have demonstrated talent and commitment for leadership.”
Olivia hopes her experiences will help her next season when she returns from injury as the only senior on both the softball and volleyball teams. Her work with Leadership Hopkinsville and the opportunity to play with five volleyball teammates who have moved on to the college ranks have prepared her for a bigger role. She feels former Lady Blazers have instilled in her “communication skills on and off the court, positive motivation, and just how important it is to work as a team.”
Olivia plans to attend college to study veterinary science and hopes to join a line of Lady Blazers playing volleyball at the next level. Wherever her journey leads, her love and compassion for animals will serve her well, along with her commitment and determination to excel in everything she does despite the obstacles she faces along the way.
